What's Your Opinion?

Compiled by Bill O'Neill

Question: The Department of Education plans to add a transfer high school — with students up to 20 years old —to the new intermediate school on East 107th Street (I.S. 366). This would mean children as young as 11 would share the building with young adults. Do you think this is a good idea? Why or why not?

"No. I mean the older children they are different from the younger kids. Instead of being a role model, they get into too much trouble like fighting - and the younger kids are too young for that type of example." - Laura Stokes, East New York "I think it's a really bad idea. It's not good to have little kids with adults. Anything can happen like sexual harassment. Transfer high school students should go to a school like Manhattan Comprehensive High School where I went - which will keep you until you're 20 years old." - Adam Fontanez, Canarsie "I disagree with the Department of Education. The reason is that a 20 year old is at a different mind frame than an 11 year old. For example, the 20 year old might get pregnant - and that type of thing could be a bad influence on younger kids." - David Flemmings, Canarsie "I don't think it's safe.I have an 11 year old daughter. That puts the younger children at risk. A 20-year-old is virtually an adult - eligible to fight in a war. They should put transfer high school students in some type of satellite school. I wouldn't put them in with younger children." - Frank Dunn, Canarsie "No, I don't because mixing younger kids with older kids is a bad idea. The younger kids will definitely pick up bad habits from the older kids - and they'll get picked on and bullied because they are younger." - Michelle Arezzo, Canarsie "No, it's not a good idea. A lot of times transfer high school students are not as focused as they should be. And it's not a good example for the younger kids." - Anthony Atkins, Canarsie